Medium sized epiphyte. Pseudobulbs oblong, to 8 cm long, compressed, clustered. Leaves solitary, linear to narrow-lanceolate, to 40 cm long, to 5 cm wide. Flowers in clusters of 20 or more around each pseudobulb, to 1 cm wide, white to maroon or reddish-brown; spring to summer. Sepals similar, linear-lanceolate, spreading, pointed at tip. Petals slightly smaller and erect. Labellum obscurely 3-lobed, midlobe tongue-shaped, channelled and curved under at tip.

Mexico and C America.

M. alba Lindl. from tropical America is a medium sized epiphyte with small 1-leaved pseudobulbs and medium sized, solitary, mostly white flowers on short stalks.

M. grandiflora (Humb., Bonpl. &Kunth) Lindl. from tropical S America is a medium sized epiphyte with small 1-leaved pseudobulbs and large, solitary, nodding, mostly white flowers on long stalks.

Source: Jeanes, J. (2005). Orchidaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.